Missed out on the 2025 Civic Tech Jam? Interested in finding ways to partner with Metro to work on real-world challenges? Drop your contact info here and we’ll send you updates on future opportunities.
Civic Tech Jam is the Nashville Innovation Alliance’s collaborative program that brings Metro Government and university researchers together to solve real-world civic challenges through technology. As part of the Nashville Tech Studio, the program helps transform ideas into pilot projects that improve the lives of Nashvillians.
The inaugural Civic Tech Jam cohort was recognized at the Alliance’s 2026 Annual Forum after five pilot projects were selected for Nashville Tech Studio funding. (Joe Howell)
Metro departments bring forward real operational challenges aligned with city priorities.
Faculty from colleges and universities across Middle Tennessee form collaborative teams and develop proposals.
The strongest proposals receive pilot funding and support to test solutions alongside Metro partners.
The Alliance launched the inaugural Civic Tech Jam in 2025 to bridge local government and academia around real-world challenges. Metro departments identified pressing needs, faculty from across Middle Tennessee formed collaborative teams and 13 proposals were submitted across five university partners and six Metro department challenge areas.
Following review by an evaluation committee of academic, technology and innovation experts, five projects were selected to receive Nashville Tech Studio pilot funding:
Using AI to streamline documentation and strengthen support for survivors
With generous support from: Mortenson
Enhanced LiDAR and real-time traffic analytics to improve pedestrian safety
Data-driven analysis of traffic signals and bus performance to boost transit reliability
Live language interpretation for building code and zoning questions
Digital twin technology to better understand and manage congestion
Civic Tech Jam is supported through the Nashville Tech Studio by Vanderbilt University and Launch Tennessee. Additional support from Amazon Web Services provides resources across the inaugural cohort, while Mortenson is helping advance the AI-Assisted Survivor Narratives pilot project. As the Tech Studio continues to grow, the Alliance will continue building partnerships that help expand research collaborations and pilot projects addressing citywide challenges.
Civic Tech Jam is one part of the Nashville Tech Studio’s growing effort to connect research, local government and industry around real-world civic challenges. Future cohorts will continue building on the success of these inaugural projects while creating new opportunities for researchers, students and partners to help improve Nashville through technology.
Missed out on the 2025 Civic Tech Jam? Interested in finding ways to partner with Metro to work on real-world challenges? Drop your contact info here and we’ll send you updates on future opportunities.
Find quick answers on our FAQs page, or reach out to one of the contacts below with additional questions.
Steve Lopez, Mayor’s Office of Performance Management,
Colleen Herndon, Metro ITS, colleen.herndon@nashville.gov